N.J. girl whose love for books went viral has died

After being diagnosed with a brain tumor, her love of books spurred a viral campaign to collect books for her to read.

A Vineland girl whose story about her medical condition spurred a book collection drive before the holidays last year has died.

According to a GoFundMe page “Love for Lena,” Evangelina “Lena” Tietjen, a 5-year-old diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, Grade 3 Anaplastic Astrocytoma, died Nov. 5. Her death comes nearly a year after her tumor was discovered.

“We have countless memories of Lena over the past five years and 10 months,” the Love for Lena page said in a statement. “We miss and remember our sassy, funny, carefree preschooler pre-diagnosis, but Lena also became, over the past year, the strongest GBM warrior we could ever imagine.”

The GoFundMe page also said Tietjen underwent eight surgeries, radiation and other methods of rehabilitation to help the young girl.

People who followed her story and the donation page were sad to hear the news.

“I am so sorry for your loss,” a commenter on the GoFundMe page posted. “Although I did not know Lena personally, she captured my heart and my soul. I admire the courage and positive attitude you showed during this overwhelmingly difficult time. My thoughts and prayers remain with you now and forever. Lena, you are the most beautiful of all angels….fly little one…”